Get Legal Help for Criminal Immigration Defense Los Angeles

If you are an immigrant to the United States and have obtained a green card, it is extremely important you maintain a clean criminal record. If you don’t, your status as to remaining in the United States could be put in serious peril. Since crime and immigration go hand-in-hand, being charged with a crime while in possession of a green card is a matter you should always take very seriously. Rather than assume everything will work out for you, make sure one of the first steps you take is consulting with an immigration lawyer in Los Angeles which citizens trust, which in these cases is always attorney David Grey, of Grey Law.

Can I Be Deported Over a Criminal Record?

The answer to this question is yes. When it comes to crime and immigration in the United States, having a criminal record will almost always be a quick ticket to deportation. Since some crimes are considered to be more serious than others, you should always talk to a Los Angeles crime and immigration lawyer such as David Grey to determine the status of your situation and how best to proceed.

What Crimes Usually Result in Deportation?

In the United States, it is often the most serious crimes that will have authorities eager to see you deported back to your home country. As for the crimes usually leading to deportation, these include sexual assault, domestic violence, murder or manslaughter, fraud or theft, firearms violations, money laundering, and alien smuggling or human trafficking. Should you find yourself facing charges of this nature, immediately hire a lawyer for criminal immigration defense to protect your legal rights and help avoid deportation.

Crimes of Moral Turpitude

Along with the above-mentioned crimes that often lead to deportation, there are also crimes of moral turpitude that could result in deportation should you be convicted in a court of law. In most situations, these crimes center on such things as rape, child pornography, sexual abuse of a minor, or drug and firearms trafficking. If you are charged with crimes considered to be those of moral turpitude, government authorities will likely be very eager to see you deported as quickly as possible. Thus, should you procrastinate in hiring an experienced lawyer for obtaining a green card with a criminal record, you could see your chances of staying in the United States diminish very fast. Therefore, once authorities charge you with such crimes, seek legal immigration help.

What About a DUI Conviction?

When you are arrested for and convicted of DUI while in possession of a green card, you always run the risk of being deported. However, many different factors will play into what actions government authorities take with your case. For example, if your DUI did not involve any other individuals and there were no injuries or deaths associated with your arrest, you may stand a better chance of remaining in the country. However, if you injured or killed others while driving drunk, it will be far more difficult to keep your temporary U.S. citizenship. Since various factors will be at play here, don’t always assume the worst. Instead, talk to David Grey and hire trusted legal representation to protect your rights and fight hard to let you stay in America.

What if I Already Have a Criminal Record?

If you try to obtain a green card while already possessing a criminal record, the process will be much more difficult but not impossible in most cases. To be successful in these situations, it will come down to the specific type of crime for which you were convicted. For example, if you were convicted of petty theft or even a DUI that occurred years ago, U.S. authorities may give you more leeway in obtaining your green card. However, if your crime was more serious, there will be many more obstacles placed in your way. Rather than give up hope of living in the U.S., discuss your case with a lawyer.

Will Certain Crimes Automatically Eliminate Immigration?

In short, yes. If you have been convicted of such crimes as murder, rape, grand theft, kidnapping, selling drugs, or have felony status as a DUI repeat offender, these situations will make it virtually impossible to be granted a green card. Yet if you believe there are extenuating circumstances surrounding your case, it is best to speak to a lawyer for criminal immigration defense. In doing so, your attorney can examine the details of your case and determine if you have a situation that merits additional contact with government officials.

Post-Conviction Relief and Expungement

In some situations, your lawyer may be able to pursue either post-conviction relief or expungement of your criminal record to help you obtain a green card or avoid deportation. If expungement is the preferred option, your attorney will work to have your criminal record completely cleared, which in the eyes of the law will be acceptable. As for post-conviction relief, this is when your legal immigration representation will argue your previous legal counsel mismanaged your case and allowed for a conviction to occur that never should have taken place. While you should not assume these options will result in success, they should always be discussed thoroughly before choosing a course of action.

By choosing to consult with David Grey of Grey Law, you will be selecting an attorney who understands your situation and has a proven track record of success with clients. Should you be in need of legal counsel to help with an immigration matter where your criminal record could come into play, schedule a consultation today.